Auri and I have been watching the adapted-for-television version of the books called Legend of the Seeker. While I enjoy the show, after having Auri read to us Wizard's First Rule was far more engaging and intriguing. Her reading helped pass the time while we drove through the flatness that is known as the New York State Thruway.
I started recognizing the area by the rolling hills and farms with fields that stretch easily 20 times larger than any that I've seen in my home state of Vermont (but still nothing compared to the mid-western farms). Our windows were down now that we were off the highway and the smell of manure and silage wafted into our little Subaru. Connor winced in disgust, and I just laughed as I don't mind the smell so much anymore.
Seeing the big red barn, I knew we were there. My mom was right, it does seem a LOT bigger when you are a kid. I remembered it being much, much bigger. When we got out of the car we didn't even go inside because one of my mom's childhood friends was out walking and she waved and ran over to give him a hug. I only had vague memories of the people and the area, but I was eager to give my grandmother who I hadn't seen in years a hug. As I was thinking this my mother's friend made a comment "your mother is looking out the window at you" and I looked over and there she was. I could recognize her but time had changed her appearance from my previous memories. I remember her having dark reddish brown well kept hair, but it was replaced by short curly greyish-white hair.
Some people say that the sense of smell is tied strongly to memory, and that is absolutely true for me. When we opened the front door I remembered the smell first. Kindof like mothballs and old-fashioned aftershave. I don't know if it was just me who remembers that smell, but I could have been walked in there blindfolded and I could have told you where I was.
At first my grandmother thought that I was my older brother Jason, but my mom clarified that I was "little Danny". Not many people call me Danny anymore, pretty much just family. Its not that I am opposed to the name, it just seemed to fall out of fashion for me. It's Dan or Daniel now (and recently have been leaning towards a preference for Daniel). She had spaghetti and meatballs for us. This happens to be Connor's favorite meal, and is still one of my favorites. The problem is my new dietary decision I've made. I decided that I will do the best I can to try and only eat local, or humanely treated animals. I'd talk more about that now but that is another post. I just ate some pasta and sauce and had an egg-salad sandwich.
My grandmother is apparently a big baseball fan, but as she watched Aurina and myself sat up until about midnight chatting with my grandmother. It was a fun experience to be able to catch up a bit. Auri and I got to sleep in a king-sized bed, while everyone else was camping outside. For those of you who sleep with another person regularly, a king-sized bed is an amazing thing. You have so much room to stretch out, that it is hard to NOT get comfortable. Needless to slay we both slept much better than we had in a while.
The next morning we had breakfast and our agenda included Letchworth State Park and later that evening a visit to the Charcoal Corral. Letchworth State Park was a gorgeous place (if you've been there, you know that I am making a pun when I say gorgeous) that had massive cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and lots of wildlife. The only downside is that is was partnered with lots of development and paving. I always feel like state parks should be limited to little tollbooth like buildings, and perhaps the occasional restroom facility. Other than that though Letchworth was an enjoyable visit, and I took a lot of pictures with my old 35mm Minolta.
The Charcoal Corral is a family-oriented establishment that seemed to have gone through some changes since the last time I remember. The last time I went.....the Lion King had just come out. The only thing I didn't like was just how much food they moved in one day/night. These sorts of places are a lot of fun, but they don't seem like they could be sustainable. They had good wholesome fun though like mini-golf, hula-hoop competitions, and a ticket arcade where you can win glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth and army men with little plastic parachutes. Their dual drive-in theater had some upgrades! They had upgraded from the little speakers you put on the door to FM transmitters so you can just tune in and have the quality sound from your car speakers. We watched Toy Story 3 and Prince of Persia. TS3 was emotional, and PoP was a pretty good adaptation from the video games.
The next day we slept in (after being up so late watching the double feature). When we finally woke up we sat around and visited a bit. Auri and I played a game of scrabble with my grandmother (and I won!!!). We were set to go to the father's day page family reunion. It apparently happens every year! It was fun to meet a bunch of people that I am apparently related to. I had an interesting conversation about eating local with my dairy-farming relative named Corey. I can't remember how we're related but we had a great conversation about food!
After leaving the reunion, we went over to the home of one of my mom's childhood friends. Gail and her husband David are really down to earth, positive, and kind people. I really hope they come to visit us here in Vermont.
We went to the grocery store, and then home to grandma's to make sandwiches. That night we did some more chatting and anticipated our ride home in the morning. Auri and I were anxious to get back because Eli (Auri's brother) was going to be leaving on a flight early Tuesday morning. It was a long drive back, but Auri read to us again so it was bearable.
I just realized I forgot two very emotional and important events.....on the way to Grandmas....we stopped at my Great Aunt Betty's house. My Great Uncle Herb had died last September, and my Great Aunt wanted me to have his trumpet....this was very thoughtful....and pulled on my heartstrings. My Great Uncle was important to my musical development.
Also...When we left, my Grandmother gave me my grandfather's mandolin. I was glad to accept these musical instruments, and I will keep them well and in the family!
